The Best Baitcasting Reel Under $150 We've Tested : Top Reviews by Experts

The Shimano SLX is an incredibly sleek looking baitcaster with a stunning matte black finish and beautiful blue accents

This reel is 22% more compact than the Caenan Baitcaster but its small size does not mean it lacks in strength; and with an amazing 150 PowerPro line capacity for such a compact reel

Packed into Shimano's signature HAGANE metal reel body; this reel is highly rigid with incredible body stiffness and the impact resistane provided by the HAGANE body virtually eliminates body flexing

Featuring 6 Pin VBS adjustments encased under an easy access side plate which allows you to set the reel and cast control for whatever lure you are using under any weather conditions

Available in various retreive options for both the right hand and left handed models; Regular Gear at 6.3:1; High Gear at 7.2:1; and Extra High Gear at 8.2:1

Carbon matrix hybrid drag system for super smooth reliable drag performance

Duragear brass gear for extended gear life

Carbon Matrix drag system provides smooth and consistent drag

10 Bearing System with stainless steel double shielded ball bearings

Zero Reverse one-way clutch bearing

External lube port

Speed Lube for exceptional smoothness and performance in all weather conditions

7.5:1 Gear Ratio

Professional Grade - The Chaos XS round baitcasting reel features a CNC caved, anti-line skip aluminum spool, this makes fishing and spooling much easier

Versatile - Egineered with 6 + 1 anti-corrosion bearings, smooth consistent drag and an extended forged handle, the Chaos XS conventional reel fits the bill for a variety of species and techniques

Innovative Cast Technology - Delivers superior casting performance and rock-solid durability. The innovative cast technology ensures a smoother & longer casting distance while reducing the chance of backlash

Powerful - Premium Carbon Fiber Drag System paired with a Japanese Haimai-Cut brass main gear provides up to 20 pounds of stopping power to chase trophy fish

Performance - Designed to meet the demands of the most hardcore angler. The recessed reel foot helps the Chaos XS round reel keep a low profile on the rod making it easy to palm and cast

【Incredibly Powerful & Strong】- Boasts with an incredible 33Lbs of drag and HUGE Hamai cut hardened brass gearing to handle fish way out of its league, the Alijoz is built for big fish and big swimbaits which make it a great inshore saltwater baitcasting fishing reel

【Durable & Sturdy】The Piscifun Alijoz size 300 baitcasting reel designed with premium aluminum frame and aluminum power handle which provide incredible durability to handle the biggest freshwater fish.

【Top in Class Components】- Loaded with high end components, Alijoz 300 baitcasting reels are a next level baitcaster reels for pro fishing tournaments. Alijoz features 8 double shielded stainless steel bearings and one instant anti reverse paired with Hamai cut hardened brass main gear and pinion gear to ensure the durability, low noise as well as smoothness

【Multiple Choices】- Alijoz 300 baitcast reels come with 5.9:1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios options with different color coated features make it a multi adaptation fishing reel. You can also select ordinary double handle or strong power handle according to personal preferences

【Ergonomic and Innovative】- Piscifun Alijoz 300 baitcasting reel comes with a super easy to access thumb bar engage button on the gear side plate which helps you bump back the thumb bar without cranking the handle. The super sturdy line wrap spool eliminates using mono as backing. Double shafts support line guide system greatly increases the stability and durability. 8 effective magnetic braking system prevents overruns and backlash. Inner wrapped thumb bar pad give you better comfort.

【Quality Guarantee】- Customers are extremely important to us so we provide a 30 day Money-Back Guarantee and 180 day Warranty. If you have any problems, please contact us through Amazon and we will take great care of you.

NEW COMPACT DESIGN - KastKing Royale Legend Series has been anglers’ favorite baitcasters since 2014. Royale Legend II Baitcasting Reels are totally redesigned for comfort and super performance! It’s a compact size low profile baitcaster fishing reel combined with a concealed side cover release that makes the reel comfortable even after thousands of casts during a day of fishing.

LEGACY CARRY-ON AND BEYOND – The new Royale Legend II casting reel has carried the legacy and set a new bar for performance and durability. For the first time, KastKing implements the double bearing supported pinion gear technology to a $40 reel, that delivers a 35% increase in smoothness under load compared to the original Royale Legend. This new design structure increases durability by an astounding 30%.

FASTER AND LIGHTER - Royale Legend II provides faster gear ratios than the previous models. The new 5.4:1 gear ratio model is perfect for crankbaits or slower presentations, while the 7.2:1 gear ratio model that quickly picks up fishing line at 29.8” per turn is great for pitching jigs or burning baits at high speed. Compact design also saves weights for Royale Legend II, making it just 7.2oz, which is lighter than most of graphite side covers and frame casting reels available today.

STRONGER - KastKing’s new Royale Legend II casting reels are equipped with an extra-hard stainless steel main shaft, Hamai precision machined brass gears, diamond shape ceramic line guide and CNC aluminum spools for strength and durability. Combine those high-end features with a quadruple disc carbon drag that delivers a fishing stopping 17.6 lbs of drag and an incredibly low price, and you have the best value in baitcasting reels available today.

CROSS-FIRE MAGNETIC BRAKING SYSTEM - To avoid time consuming and frustrating overruns and backlashes, the new Royale Legend II fishing reels include a newly designed, dynamic magnetic braking system with 8 magnetic buttons, compared to only 5 or 6 on most other reels. Royale Legend II’s ten-level adjustable braking system eliminates casting issues while maximizing casting distance and fishing line control in windy conditions. Say goodbye to overruns and hello to more fish in the boat.

【Powerful】Advanced triple carbon washers gives the Torrent low profile baitcasting reel physically powerful 18LB drag, which helps you when battling trophy fish.

【Durable】The fishing reel adopt industrial durable strength and climate resistant Japanese Hamai cut 3604 brass gears, these are all top quality gears you expect for baitcaster fishing reels which offer ultimate consistence for reeling in.

【Simplify Operation】The Torrent reel uses a magnetic braking system, that has 5 magnets to give the angler many levels of spool braking power to effectively prevent backlash. Beginners can also quickly get up to speed.

【Fast Retrieve & Multiple Choices】The Torrent fishing reel is available in 2 different gear ratios: 5.3:1 & 7.1:1, allowing you to fish efficiently no matter which technique you choose! From cranking to flipping and pitching, the Torrent has you covered.

【Convenient Design】Unique side-plate oil port for prolonged maintenance for Novice to Pro to maximize your baitcast reel life and performance.

NEW DESIGN - The totally new design KastKing Spartacus II baitcasting reel is a warrior! Spartacus II bait casting reels have the dynamic features, an extremely sleek lower profile of only 39 mm, about 10% lower than Spartacus I, and a weight of only 6 ounces for your battle in pursuit of your personal best. Match up one of the five-color patterns to your casting rod for a hot looking baitcasting combo.

TECHNOLOGY - You will love the exceptional design of the powerful 5 button magnetic brakes (it is so efficient this baitcaster only needs one brake system instead of dual brakes) and the technologically advanced KastKing “Double Tapered Control Chute” Line Guide that reduces line friction for ultimate line control and birds nest reduction. Plus, tournament ready 4-disc carbon fiber drag with 17.6 LBs of trophy fish stopping power, make the Spartacus II baitcast reel a strong contender.

SMOOTH - A Spartacus II bait casting reel has: superior shielded 7 + 1 corrosion resistant ball bearings, CNC anodized aluminum spool with power launch and aluminum handle for smooth casting, powerful precision machined hardened aluminum main gears, and KastKing logo embossed hi-grade EVA handle knobs. With an aluminum main gear, the reel is only 6 oz. That is unheard of for a reel under $50!

NO MERCY - A KastKing Spartacus II baitcaster fishing reel with its versatile 7.2:1 gear ratio create an exceptional super low profile bait casting weapon in your fishing tackle collection that will save you money and bring you years of fishing pleasure.

AFFORDABLE INNOVATION - Go beyond the limits with the new Spartacus II baitcasting reel that is smoother, smaller, lighter, and more powerful than any other brand bait casters in its price range.

NEW AutoMag DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM: More stable and farther casting! KastKing MegaJaws Baitcasting Reels one-piece ring magnet provides uniform braking force during the entire cast. When the spool reaches peak speed an auto-adjusting centrifugal brake’s braking bars are thrown out, reducing the speed of the spool and avoiding backlash. When the speed of the spool is reduced to the critical point, the bars are retracted, eliminating the braking force giving you longer, trouble-free casts.

KastKing LFTV: MegaJaws baitcaster reels have unique KastKing LFTV (Low Friction Tapered Vortex), funnel shaped ceramic line guides. They greatly reduce fishing line friction through the guide giving you super long casts and also help to reduce backlashes. LFTV makes the difference between a good casting reel and a great bait cast reel.

PALM PERFECT - LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: Upgraded MegaJaws reels, adopting KastKing Palm Perfect ergonomic engineering, are only 41mm tall and much lighter than before. Fishing reel total weight was reduced from 7.6 oz to only 6.5 oz on the new model. Main gears and main gear shafts are made of hardened aerospace 7075 aluminum. Pinion gears are super hard manganese brass. Grips were changed from rubber cork to comfortable, lightweight EVA. The new MegaJaws lets you fish longer with less fatigue.

COLOR- CODED SYSTEM – KastKing knows how difficult it can be to quickly identify a specific gear ratio reel on the deck of your boat for a specific fishing application. KastKing has given the MegaJaws unique colors for each gear ratio so you can quickly identify the right reel for the job and gain a competitive advantage to win bass fishing tournaments. Select from 5.4:1. 6.5:1, 7.2:1, and one of the fastest ratios in the market -- 9.1:1

CHAMPION APPROVED: Chosen by PROs! MegaJaws baitcasting reels helped Rob Branagh win the opening event of MLF 2022 at Lake Okeechobee. MegaJaws are full featured, tournament ready reels in every way. 11+1 double shielded stainless steel bearings throughout and stainless steel main shaft offer durability and performance as freshwater or saltwater fishing reels. Its ultra-smooth multiple disc carbon fiber drag provides up to 17.6 lbs of trophy fish stopping power.

BULLET PROOF - The hot Rover reel just became hotter. The KastKing Rover round baitcasting reel has been reinforced with thicker hard anodized aluminum side plates, CNC machined spool, precision cut brass gears, all alloy flawless level wind, industry-first stainless steel worm gear, patented metal idle gear, stainless steel shaft and other components for superior durability and corrosion protection.

MORE POWERFUL - You will love the stronger, more powerful KastKing Rover round baitcasting reel with a superior carbon fiber drag system. With its newly designed “Cymbal Washer” System, KastKing Rover now offers up to 30LB of smooth drag.

SUPER SMOOTH - KastKing Rover reels have premium MaxiDur double shielded stainless steel ball bearings (6 + 1 BBs on Size 40-60, 4 + 1 BBs on 70 - 90) for smooth operation.

VERSATILE - KastKing Rover is a perfect conventional reel for trolling, bottom fishing, and other techniques used in freshwater and saltwater (Size 40 – 60 with 2-pin centrifugal brake that is good for casting). The oversized nonslip EVA grips, line out clicker alarm, easy access thumb bar spool release (40-60 sizes) and the classic look are everything you would expect of a round baitcasting fishing reel.

FISH INTO THE FUTURE - KastKing Rover conventional reels are built with functionality, quality, and are built to last. KastKing Rover Series deliver fantastic design, power, and performance at an affordable price. Anglers who want an affordable, dependable levelwind round baitcasting reel to add to their trolling reel fishing tackle will appreciate the low price and high quality of a KastKing Rover.